As the Wind Blows: A Look at Weather Vanes

Weather vanes have been capturing the interest and imagination, both young and old, for centuries. Watchful roosters overlooking barns, running horses topping elegant homes, the weather is a bit unique device has a rich history, predating the birth of Christ. But how could they be? Who was first? Why are they called weather vanes? Join us as we discover some fun facts about weather vanes.

The weather vane is estimated to begin in early return to the year 48 BC, where he Tower of Winds in Athens decorated. Probably more than 4 inches long, this is the first weather vane shaped in the form of God, Greek, Triton, with head and torso of the human body and the body of the fish. Due to the fact that the ancient Greek and Roman pre-Christian belief that the wind power of the divine will, it is not uncommon to weathervanes made in the likeness of the Greek gods such as Hermes see, Mercury and Boreas.

The Vikings took the idea of the weather vane and started his own around the 9th century. Unique to this day, the Vikings created banner weathervane style and generally they are placed on their ships, for navigational purposes, and their home. Usually decorated with images of popular animals, weather vane style can still commonly found in Norway and Sweden. It also believes that at this time, the Pope decided that the churches in Europe all the chicken on top of their church, such as a memory of Jesus prophesied that the chicken does not compromise crow, the morning after the Last Supper. Since then, many traditional churches, both in Europe and America, the weather vane of chicken display.

The first president, George Washington celebrated the end of the Revolutionary War with a special weathervane was allocated to the summit of Mount Vernon are real. Made in the image of a dove, that olive branches, or a peace dove weathervane was completed in 1787 by Joseph Straw Rake. Even Thomas Jefferson found an interest in weather vanes, supposedly attaching the weather vane, in Monticello, for a pointer in his house. This way he can determine wind direction, without leaving the comfort of their home.

horse, common weather vanes depicted during the 1800 racing is popular, like George M. Patching and smugglers, are made based on their similarities Currier and Ives print style. Works from the weather vane only advanced from there, so someone's imagination to go wild, elegant silhouette, strange roles and arrows, even three-dimensional animal creations. Now grown to a large number of different materials, this certainly bet that what a person wants a weather vane, if you have not made, there is someone ready to run.